Political Participation

The Meaning of Political Participation

Political participation encompasses the many activities used by citizens to influence the selection of political leaders or the policies they pursue. Political participation can also be defined as those actions of private citizens by which they seek to influence or to support government and politics.

Political participation derives from the freedom to speak out, assemble and associate; the ability to take part in the conduct of public affairs; and the opportunity to register as a candidate, to campaign, to be elected and to hold office at all levels of government.  Political participation extends beyond parties, however. Individuals can also become involved in certain aspects of the electoral process through independent action particularly at the local level and by joining civil society organizations. Professional networks, trade unions, non-governmental organizations, and the media can all provide avenues for political participation.

Participation in electoral processes involves much more than just voting. Political participation derives from the freedom to speak out, assemble and associate; the ability to take part in the conduct of public affairs; and the opportunity to register as a candidate, to campaign, to be elected and to hold office at all levels of government.

Forms of Political Participation

The following are the forms of political participation:

1. Financial support: The number of people who give money to a candidate, party, or political organization has increased substantially per political era.
2. Voting during elections: The electorate get themselves involved in the electoral process, thus exercising their franchise when the need arises.
3. Campaign activities: In addition to voting, people engage in a range of activities during campaigns. They work for political parties or candidates, organize campaign events, and discuss issues with family and friends. New media offer additional opportunities for people to engage in campaigns. People can blog or participate in discussion groups related to an election. They can create and post videos on behalf of or opposed to candidates. They can use social networking sites, like Facebook, to recruit supporters, enlist volunteers for campaign events, or encourage friends to donate money to a candidate
4. Running for and holding public office: Being a public official requires a great deal of dedication, time, energy, and money. About 3 percent of the adult population holds an elected or appointed public office. Although the percentage of people running for and holding public office appears small, there are many opportunities to serve in government.
5. Protests: Protests involve unconventional, and sometimes unlawful, political actions that are undertaken in order to gain rewards from the political and economic system. Protest behavior can take many forms. People can engage in nonviolent acts of civil disobedience where they deliberately break a law that they consider to be unjust.  Other forms of protest behavior include demonstrating, and boycotting etc. etc.

The Purpose of Political Participation

People participate in political activities for the following reasons:

1. Good management:Most persons take part in politics as means of ensuring proper management and equitably division of the nation’s resources.
2. Career/occupational choice: Some individuals participate in politics because they claim that politics is their chosen career choice. Thus, they are fulfilling their dreams.
3. For respect and prestige:Some others are involved in politics because of the respect it attracts to the political office holders or players of the game.
4. Avenue for making money: To most players of the game of politics, politics is quick channel for amassing wealth or asset.
5. Decision making: Some people participate in politics in order to contribute their quota in the decision     making process of the country.
6. Failure of past governments:Some people take part in politics as a means to remedy the inadequacies of previous political dispensation or era, etc.
7. Management of the nation’s resources.
8. Correction of ills in the society.
9. It serves as means of training and preparing future leaders.
10. It gives room to patriotic citizens to be actively involved in politics.

EVALUATION

1. What is political participation?
2. How does a citizen participate in politics?
3. Give five (5) reasons why citizens participate in politics.